Adjustable axe

ABSTRACT

Axes for mountaineering activities such as technical ice climbing, extreme mixed climbing, and dry-tooling are provided. Such axes may include a main body having a proximal portion connected to a handgrip and a distal portion connected to a tool, in which there is defined an axis X parallel to the vertical use plane of the axe, tangential to the outer end of the handgrip and the tip of the tool and intersecting the longitudinal axis (Y) of the handgrip and the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool, so as to respectively form angles α and β, wherein said proximal portion of the main body is removably and adjustably connected to said handgrip, so as to modify the inclination of said handgrip according to said angle α, is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and benefit of Italian ApplicationSerial Number MI2010A002462 filed on Dec. 30, 2010, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to equipment for climbing, such astechnical ice climbing, extreme mixed climbing, dry-tooling or otherpaths implying similar difficulty.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Progression on ice during excursion, mountaineering and sportsactivities frequently involves the use of axes having at one end a pickand at the other a handgrip.

Observable technical characteristics are represented by the robustness,lightness and efficiency on the various progression grounds: hightechnical degree ice, mixed (ice-rock) technical degree ice even withextreme difficulty and dry-tooling, in which climbing mainly occurs onrock, even indoor, on material reproducing the rock and ice conditionand using the tools typical of progression on ice.

Thus, there are currently known—for progression on different routes—axeshaving a structure and different characteristics right due to thecontingent need regarding the path or the specific technical difficultythereof.

In particular, the inclination of the handgrip and of the blade withrespect to the plane of use, is a very important characteristic.

For ice climbing, tools are typically used having a maximum inclinationof the handgrip of 45° and of the blade of about 100°, calculated withrespect to the vertical of the wall.

In contrast, for use in dry-tooling or in competitions axes are usedwhich have a more reclined handgrip, between 55°-60° and a blade moreinclined downwards with respect to the vertical of the wall to beclimbed, so as to guarantee better hooking.

Therefore, an alpinist desiring to tackle routes having differentcharacteristics generally uses a tool that is specific and adapted toeach path.

However, this is quite inconvenient both from an economic and logisticpoint of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem of having a specific axe foreach route by providing an axe that can be adapted to differentconditions (e.g., technical ice-climbing, extreme mixed climbing anddry-tooling).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents two embodiments of an axe according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded detail of the axes shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a sectional lateral view of the handgrip of the axeof the invention, in two different operative positions;

FIG. 3A shows an exploded lateral view of the handgrip of an axe in oneembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3B shows a lateral view of a detail of the handgrip of FIG. 3A inoperative condition;

FIG. 3C shows a lateral view of the detail of FIG. 3B according to avariant;

FIG. 4 represents a lateral view of inserts used in embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a detail of a handgrip;

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of further details;

FIG. 6B shows a lateral view of the details of FIG. 6A mounted on an axeaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures and in the following description, an axe according to thepresent invention is indicated with reference 1.

In particular, in embodiments of the present invention the axe 1 maycomprise a main body 2 having a proximal portion 3 connected to ahandgrip 6 and a distal portion 4 connected to a tool 5.

The “proximal” and “distal” relative positions, regarding the main body2, shall be considered with reference to the handgrip 6.

The tool 5 may be represented by a blade or pick, for facilitating thehooking to the progression support, for example ice, rock or wood. Thetool 5 may develop around a main axis Z, also referred to aslongitudinal axis of the tool 5.

The handgrip 6 may be connected to the proximal portion 3 of the mainbody 2 removably and adjustably and may develop according to a main axisY, also referred to as longitudinal axis of the handgrip.

There is also defined an axis X parallel to the vertical use plane ofthe axe (see FIG. 1), tangential to the outer end of the handgrip 6 andthe tip of the tool 5 and intersecting the longitudinal axis Y of thehandgrip 6 and the longitudinal axis Z of the tool 5, so as torespectively form angles α and β.

The shape, length, width, thickness and profile of the tool may bedetermined by specific needs, as well as by the characteristics anddifficulty of the intended use.

The handgrip 6, as represented in FIG. 2, may comprise a core 6 a,generally made of metal or metal or carbon alloy, having—at the twoends—arched profiles 6′, 6″ defining a grip space 7 therebetween.

The end 9 of the core 6 a, proximal with respect to the point forconnection with the main body 2 of the axe 1, may comprise a perforatedplate 9 a having, along a part of the perimeter thereof, a convex shapedtoothed section 9 b.

As mentioned above, the proximal portion 3 of the body of the axe may beremovably connected to the handgrip 6.

In particular, according to what is illustrated in FIG. 2, the proximalportion 3 of an axe may comprise connection means 7 for the removableconnection with said handgrip 6.

The connection means 7 may comprise a perforated plate 8 having along aportion of the perimeter thereof a relief profile 8 a having a concaveshaped toothed section 8 b defining a plurality of recesses having ashape complementary to the teeth of the toothed section 9 b associatedto the handgrip 6. The toothed section 8 b of the main body 2 of the axe1 is thus intended to be shape-coupled to the toothed section 9 bassociated to the perforated plate 9 a of the handgrip 6.

Thus, between the proximal portion 3 of the main body 2 of the axe 1 andthe proximal end 9 of the handgrip 6, there may be introduced themechanical coupling of the male-female type. Thus, the two perforatedplates 8, 9 a are made to coincide, by aligning the respective holes.

Said removable coupling may be suitably fixed, for example, by means ofa screw-nut system inserted in said aligned holes of the plates 8, 9 a.However, there are other possible types of removable couplings, such as,for example, a fitting system, a snap-coupling system or the like.

According one embodiment of the present invention, the toothed section 8b of the connection means 7 of the proximal portion 3 of the main body 2of the axe has a greater number of recesses with respect to the numberof teeth constituting the toothed section 9 b associated to the handgrip6.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, in which the number of recesses may beone more than the number of teeth, there may be provided at least twodifferent relative positions between the body of the axe and thehandgrip, so as to modify the inclination of said handgrip 6 accordingto said angle α.

On the contrary, if the difference between the number of recesses and ofteeth shall be two, there may be provided for three adjustmentpositions, and so on and so forth.

The angular distance between two adjacent teeth geometrically definesthe angular adjustment of the handgrip 6 with respect to the main body 2of the axe 1, thus the angle α as defined above, as well as, as aconsequence, the angle β between the axes X and Z.

Therefore, the axe of the present invention advantageously allows forthe transition between one conformation, for example that of FIG. 2A, toanother, for example that of FIG. 2B, characterized by a differentinclination of the handgrip and of the blade.

The passage from one configuration to another may be easily and rapidlyobtained by unfastening the screw-nut system so as to disconnect thehandgrip 6 from the main body 2 of the axe 1, repositioning the handgrip6 according to a different coupling configuration of the notched systems8 a, 9 b and fastening the entirety for fixing the two parts mutually.

Hence, the present invention provides, inter alia, an axe in which it ispossible to modify the inclination, defined as angle α in FIG. 1, of thehandgrip with respect to axis X of the axe.

For example, it will be possible to place the tool in an ICEconformation (FIG. 1 on the left), in which the angle α is of about 48°.

This in turn determines an inclination of the blade defined by an angleβ of about 100°. Advantageously, such geometry is particularly adaptedfor use on ice, providing quite a natural abutment, given its nearperpendicular configuration.

On the contrary, in the case in which the tool should be used in extremeconditions, i.e. particularly difficult techniques characterized by highinclinations or during a competition, the position of the handgrip maybe modified so as to obtain an angle α of about 60°.

Hence, the angle β with the axis Z is about 105°, more suitable for useduring competition, a mixed path or on dry-tooling, in which there isrequired the optimization on the grip of the tool when the athlete isoffground.

According to an aspect of the invention, in order to protect the core 6a from external agents, as well as facilitate the grip and thus improvethe manoeuvrability, the core 6 a may be covered through moulding ordie-casting with a handgrip profile 6 b, typically made of plasticmaterial; in turn, the plastic is totally or even only partly coatedwith rubber to make the handgrip more anatomic and comfortable.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grip space 7 ofthe core 6 a has an ergonomic shape and comprises, at intermediateposition between the proximal end 9 and the opposite end and inproximity of the internal edge of the grip space 7, a through hole 10.

The through hole 10 may be arranged in an approached position withrespect to the proximal end 9 of the handgrip 6, so that the distanceseparating the hole 10 from such end is less (for example, about onethird) than the distance between the hole 10 and the opposite end of thehandgrip 6. Such position may be selected so that the hole 10 is locatedabout the separation point between the forefinger and middle finger ofthe user's hand and it may thus vary during the design step as afunction of an accurate ergonomic study.

In such embodiment, the handgrip profile 6 b may be interrupted, alongthe internal edge of the grip space 7, at the through hole 10, so as tocreate a U-shaped seat 11 in which a core portion 6 a remains exposed(as shown in FIG. 3A).

Said seat 11 is intended to house an insert 12, 12′ having acomplementary shaped surface. The inserts 12, 12′ may develop around alongitudinal axis K and comprise a coupling portion 14 a, adapted to behoused in the seat 11, and a separation portion 14 b having a more orless elongated shape with respect to said axis K.

The insert 12, 12′ may be internally provided, in its portion forcoupling 14 a with the seat 11, with a slot, so that it is placedastride the exposed core portion 6 a.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the insert12, 12′ has—on one side—a hole 13 (not shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C),which may be aligned with the through hole 10 of the core 6 a andadapted to house the removably connecting and fastening means with seat11, typically a fastening screw. However, a different form of couplingmay be provided between the insert 12, 12′ and seat 11, for example afit-coupling, a snap-coupling or the like. In such cases, the hole 10 inthe seat 11 and the hole 13 in the insert 12, 12′ may be omitted.

Thus, with the insertion of an insert 12, 12′ in said seat 11, the gripspace 7 may be divided, with reference to the proximal end 9 of thehandgrip 6, in a proximal portion 7′ and a distal portion 7″ (asobservable in FIGS. 1 and 3A).

Therefore, when one grips such embodiments of the present invention,such distal portion 7″ of the grip space 7 may comfortably house thelittle finger, the ring finger and the middle finger of the user, whilethe proximal portion 7′ may comfortably house the forefinger.

Thus, the user may advantageously maintain the grip of the tool morefirmly, thus optimizing the use during rapid and lengthy ascents.

Examples of inserts 12, 12′ that may be inserted in the seat 11, andrepresenting a further object of the present invention, are representedin FIGS. 3B, 3C and 4.

The choice of the different length of the separation portion 14 bdepends on the needs of the user, the size of the hand thereof and fromthe feeling of greater or lesser comfort desired.

In the insert 12′ shown in FIGS. 3C and 4, the separation portion 14 bmay be asymmetrically shaped in that it may have a smaller width withrespect to the coupling portion 14 a and may develop along a parallelbut offset direction with respect to the axis K. Thus, depending onwhether it is mounted as shown in FIG. 3C or in front-rear position (inthis case the hole 13 would be arranged at the front part with respectto the view of the FIG. 3C), the separation point between the forefingerand the other fingers of the hand may be slightly modified. Also thisfunction increases the comfort for the user, showing the versatility ofembodiments of the present invention.

Hence, each insert 12, 12′ may be inserted in two different positions inthe seat 11, suitably rotating the insert 12 around the axis K.

Because of these characteristics, the handgrip of the axe of the presentinvention may be modulated in an extremely personalized manner and whilemaintaining extreme comfort.

A further aspect of the present invention is represented in the FIG. 5.

According to such embodiment, the grip space 7 of the handgrip 6 may bereduced so as to adapt it to a hand of small dimensions. Such result maybe obtained by use of, for example, a dowel 15 which may be associated,for example, by fitting it to the grip space 7 in proximity to thedistal end of the handgrip.

Said dowel 15 may comprise a support surface 15 a for the user's hand,profiled so as to arrange it astride the handgrip 6, and a supportelement 15 b, intended to end up in abutment with the arched profile 6″of the handgrip 6.

Such dowel 15 may be made of any suitable material such as rubber.

The dowel 15 may be used to shorten the length of the grip space 7,adapting it to the dimension of the user's hand.

Thus, advantageously, the axe of the present invention may be usedeffortlessly by a user with smaller hands, such as for example, a youngman or a woman.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in certain embodiments the axe 1 maycomprise a grip element 16, intended to be positioned along the mainbody 2 of the axe 1 and has the function of supplementary support forthe hand or alternatively the function of the insert 12, 12′ describedabove, i.e. that of facilitating the handgrip of the axe being arrangedbetween the forefinger and middle finger of the user's hand. It is thusimportant that this grip element 16 be capable of being arranged in anyposition along the main body 2 of the axe, depending on the preferenceor particular needs of the climber.

For this purpose, the grip element 16 may comprise a portion 17 forfastening to the main body of the axe 1, being shaped as an open ringfollowing the cross-section profile of the main body 2.

At the open ends of the fastening portion 17 there may protrude twotongues 18 a, 18 b having complementary surfaces 20 for mutual coupling.The first tongue 18 a is provided with a tooth 19 arranged on thesurface 20, to which there will correspond a complementary seat (notshown) on the surface of the second tongue 18 b faced thereto.

The first tongue 18 a also may comprise a through hole 21 perpendicularto the surface 20, intended to house fastening means 22, typically ascrew, allowing for the closing of the fastening portion 17 around themain body 2 of the axe strongly enough to keep it firmly in the desiredposition. Thus, the two tongues 18 a, 18 b may be fitted, thus formingan actual grip portion 18 of the grip element 16.

From what has been described above it can be appreciated how embodimentsof the present invention overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Axesaccording to the present invention are extremely versatile and adaptableto different situations of use, thus providing robustness and lightnesscharacteristics.

Embodiments disclosed above may be subjected to numerous modifications,adaptations and replacement of elements with others functionallyequivalent with the aim of meeting contingent and specific needs,without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

1. An axe for mountaineering activities comprising, a main body having aproximal portion connected to a handgrip and a distal portion connectedto a tool, wherein an axis (X) parallel to the vertical use plane of theaxe is defined, tangential to the outer end of the handgrip and the tipof the tool and intersecting the longitudinal axis (Y) of the handgripand the longitudinal axis (Z) of the tool, so as to respectively formangles α and β, wherein said proximal portion of the main body isremovably and adjustably connected to said handgrip, so as to allow forthe modification of the inclination of said handgrip according to saidangle α.
 2. The axe of claim 1, wherein said tool is a blade or pick. 3.The axe of claim 1, wherein said handgrip comprises a core having at thetwo ends arched profiles defining a grip space therebetween.
 4. The axeof claim 3, wherein the end of the core proximal with respect to thepoint for connection with the main body of the axe, comprises aperforated plate having, along a part of the perimeter thereof, a convexshaped toothed section.
 5. The axe of claim 1, wherein said proximalportion of the main body of the axe comprises connection means forremovably and adjustably connecting to said handgrip.
 6. The axe ofclaim 5, wherein said connection means comprise a perforated platehaving along a portion of the perimeter thereof a relief profile havinga concave shaped toothed section defining a plurality of recesses havinga shape complementary to the teeth of the toothed section associatedwith the handgrip.
 7. The axe of claim 6, wherein said toothed sectionconnection means of the proximal portion of the main body of the axecomprises a greater number of recesses with respect to the number ofteeth constituting the toothed section associated with the handgrip. 8.The axe of claim 3, wherein said core is covered with a handgripprofile.
 9. The axe of claim 8, wherein said handgrip profile isinterrupted at an intermediate position along the edge of the gripspace, so as to create a seat in which a core portion remains exposed.10. The axe of claim 9, wherein said seat is houses an insert having acomplementary shaped surface.
 11. The axe of claim 10, wherein saidinsert develops around a longitudinal axis (K) and comprises a couplingportion, adapted to be housed in the seat, and a separation portionhaving a substantially elongated shape with respect to said axis (K).12. The axe of claim 9, wherein said seat is arranged in an approachedposition with respect to the proximal end of the handgrip, so that thedistance separating the seat from such end is less than the distancebetween the seat and the opposite end of the handgrip, so that the seatis located about the separation point between the forefinger and middlefinger of a user's hand.
 13. The axe of claim 9, wherein said grip spaceof the core comprises, at said seat, a through hole.
 14. The axe ofclaim 10, wherein said insert is internally provided, in its portion forcoupling with the seat, with a slot, so that it is placed astride theexposed core portion.
 15. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insert hason one side a hole, intended to be placed aligned with the through holeof the core and adapted to house the removably connecting and fasteningmeans with the seat.
 16. The axe of claim 10, wherein said insertcomprises an asymmetrically shaped separating portion having a smallerwidth with respect to the coupling portion and developing along aparallel but offset direction with respect to the axis (K).
 17. The axeof claim 1, comprising a dowel associated with the grip space, inproximity of the distal end of the handgrip.
 18. The axe of claim 17,wherein said dowel comprises a support surface for the user's hand and asupport element, capable of abutment with the arched profile of thehandgrip.
 19. The axe of claim 1, comprising a grip element, adapted forpositioning along the main body of the axe and having a portion forfastening to the main body, said fastening portion being shaped as anopen ring, following the cross-section profile of the main body, and twotongues, placed at the open ends of the fastening portion, havingcomplementary surfaces for mutual coupling.
 20. The axe of claim 19,wherein said first tongue comprises a tooth arranged on the surface, towhich a complementary seat on the surface of the second tongue facingsaid first tongue will correspond.
 21. The axe of claim 19, wherein saidfirst tongue comprises a through hole perpendicular to the surface,adapted for housing fastening means allowing closing of the fasteningportion around the main body of the axe strongly enough to keep itfirmly in the desired position.